Collection will take place in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland

Maine is beginning a drive to encourage residents to take advantage of free disposal of banned and unusable pesticides.

Officials say the disposal program is open to homeowners, family-owned farms and greenhouses. Collection will take place in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland.

Gov. Paul LePage calls the effort "an opportunity for Mainers to dispose of unusable pesticides properly and at no expense." State officials say many homes and farms unintentionally have hazardous wastes in basements, garages and barns. Collected materials will go to out-of-state disposal facilities to be reprocessed or incinerated.